Community Mental Health Counseling CO 7160 Dr.pris selvaraj

For this course: -Explore what are community counseling resources/facilities in the area -Experience what it is to be a “community counselor” -Understand consultation, advocacy, and evaluation -Become more knowledgeable in working with diverse communities -Become more effective in working in variety of settings -Narrow down your passion areas of work and self-reflect

Community Counseling A type of counseling that is used to help communities that are suffering from psychological or social discord, for one reason or another. Professionals in this field will often try to treat individuals in the community for whatever psychological problem that ails them. They will also attempt to prevent future problems as well. Community counseling helps to prevent the vicious cycle of problems in the community. Professionals in this field are experts at treating problems of individuals as well as communities. They are often experts at getting communities to pull together during tough times and restore order and harmony.

What Does a Community Counselor Do? Community counselors attempt to solve widespread community problems that are social or psychological in nature. In order to do this, they will often work with individuals as well as a community as a whole. Community counselors will often speak with several individuals, offering guidance, therapy, and counseling. While trying to help these individuals overcome their challenges in life, a community counselor will also attempt to get to the root of the problem. Once a community counselor recognizes the root of a problem plaguing a community, they will often attempt to fix the problem. This typically involves working closely with community leaders and possibly creating community outreach programs. These outreach programs may have a number of different purposes, depending on the particular problems of a community. They may be used to make mental health services more visible or widely available.

Not all community problems stem from such things as social and psychological problems within the area, however. Disasters and traumatic events can often rip a community to shreds in a very short period of time. Such events will often make communities as whole feel scared, confused, angry, depressed, and anxious. These feelings could stem from the loss of homes, property, loved ones, and stability in general. After a community wide disaster, community counselors will often be available to individuals in need of counseling for various mental and emotional problems caused by the disaster. This can be achieved by individual counseling sessions or group counseling sessions. Community counselors might also help a community unite and rebuild in the aftermath of such an event.

Where Do Community Counselors Work? Community counselors might be employed by a number of different facilities and agencies. They might work in hospitals, substance abuse clinics, mental health centers, and schools. They might also be employed by social service organizations, non-profit groups, and government agencies.

2 most important trait to become CC Excellent Communication Skills: Communication skills enable these professionals to connect with and better understand the problems and causes of problems that some communities may face. Outstanding Leadership Skills: Leadership skills are important, because they help community members feel more trusting and willing to follow the advice of community counselors.

How are they different from mental health counselors? Community mental health counselors work at clinics and other community agencies. They perform many of the duties that mental health counselors perform in private practice, like conduct individual and group therapy sessions. Community mental health counselors have some duties that are unique to the setting. These may include helping individuals with mental illness carry out basic functions like scheduling appointments. Community mental health counselors may even teach patients how to use public transit and other community services.

1. Community of Counseling Centers of Chicago: Employment outlook & career guidance for community counselors 3. Counselor License: counselor.html#context/api/listings/prefilter 4. Community Mental Health Journal ISSN: (Print) (Online)